Fire can be a huge potential risk in any working environment. Workers die every year due to the inhalation of smoke or workers falling to their death from multi-story buildings. Taking necessary preventive measures can avoid fire-related incidents. Risk assessment can improve fire safety in a workplace. Finding out the chances of a fire occurring and the potential risk fire poses to the workforce is the prime function of the risk assessment process. Following are the five major steps a factory should include in its risk assessment process:

 Identify the potential fire hazards

 Identify employees most vulnerable to a potential fire

 Evaluating the potential risk and implementing preventive measures

 Keeping a record of the findings and data

 Taking assessment as a constant process and making necessary changes

We can further discuss these five-step strategy in detail. In the first step, safety managers should look at the sources of ignition, combustible material, and the processes that could create a fire hazard. Sources of ignition could be many from electrical wiring to poor machine maintenance and it is not hard to highlight the combustible material.

If there is a fire in a facility, the first priority should be to save lives and evacuate the building of all employees. The fire spread quickly and workers can be overcome with heat and smoke that can kill them. Therefore, there must be a safety procedure in place to warn employees before fire takes over.

Apart from all the preventive measures safety managers can take, employees should stay ready and wear safety garments which can help them avoid the heat. Firefighters generally wear clothes that are relevant to their work. Fire retardant coveralls is one of the examples of safety clothes that can help workers survive a fire. Workwear cannot be used as a sole technique to deal with workplace hazards. Fire is a serious hazard which demands thorough safety plans.

It is almost inevitable for workers to wear fire resistant clothes if their work involves hazards like high temperature and heat. Coveralls and bib pants are recommended garments for professionals like firefighters and manufacturing plant workers.

Most of the workplaces implement a dress code for their employees based on the nature of hazards. It is essential to a safe working environment. If your job is to deal with the risk of fire and other hazards, make sure you are well-equipped and well-trained. Remember, safety always comes first.

1. Check for slip/fall hazards. Falls are among the most common workplace injuries. They’re also among the easiest to prevent. Using nonslip mats on slippery areas is one simple solution. Another is ensuring steps or other potential trip hazards are clearly marked. Encouraging your team to wear appropriate footwear could also keep them safe.

2. Keep fire exits clear. This may sound obvious, but all too often, the space in front of “unused” fire doors gets co-opted for storage. This is fine until that fateful day you actually need to get out through that door. So don’t fall for this temptation. Keep fire exits clear and clearly marked.

3. Implement regular housekeeping. Prevent stuff from occupying space it shouldn’t by regularly eliminating clutter. This means making a commitment to regular housekeeping. Make it a habit to quickly dispose of unneeded items, such as broken equipment or empty shipping boxes. Such objects often become trip hazards or fire hazards if allowed to accumulate. Setting up a regular cleaning schedule (which in some workplaces, can be a rotating chore list for team members) will ensure your workplace stays orderly.

4. Promote a culture of safety. The most important factor in workplace safety is the human factor. Make sure your team knows you put safety first. Encourage commonsense safety practices, such as driving at sensible speeds.

5. Cultivate a healthy workplace. Team members who go to work tired or sick may pride themselves on their grit, but dozing off while driving or operating heavy equipment properly can lead to serious accidents. Workplace health programs can teach your team easy self-care strategies while reducing your accident risk.

6. Regularly inspect protective gear and personal equipment. Protective gear, such as welder’s goggles or safety harnesses, are your team’s first line of defense against workplace hazards. But even the best gear can wear out over time. Make sure everyone’s safety gear is regularly inspected. Also, don’t hesitate to replace any items that are past their prime. The safety of your team may depend on it.

7. Have written safety standards in place. Smart managers know nothing gets done if it’s not in writing. Make sure to put your safety standards in writing, and ensure everyone on your team is familiar with them. Written standards also remind your team that workplace safety should be a priority.

Partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) is an easy way to ensure your team stays safe. By acting as your combined payroll and human resources department, a PEO company helps you develop practical workplace policies. It also ensures you’re in compliance with current OSHA regulations.

Welders have to face a number of physical and chemical hazards which lead to a need for personal protective equipment. It is the responsibility of employers to ensure that their employees are well-equipped and trained to handle hazards that pose a potential risk to their health. Following are some of the major hazards that welding workers have to counter:

Flying particles and flumes

Particles and fumes created during welding operations are potentially dangerous when inhaled. Most of the welders are exposed to these fluids during machining processes which is a major cause of respiratory problems in welders. Asthma, impaired lung function, chronic bronchitis and skin burns are some of the common occupational health-related issues. Appropriate use of safety garments like nomex coveralls and protective equipment like mask and gloves helps prevent skin contact with flying objects and flumes.

Chemical exposure

Welding operators have to deal with chemicals like metalworking fluids. As these metalworking fluids are alarmingly dangerous and contain harmful contamination, employees must take preventive measures in order to make the job safe. Appropriate protective dress such as boots, gloves, masks, and welding coveralls can help workers stay protected against workplace hazards.

Electric shock

Tools used in arc welding make it necessary for operators to guard against electric shocks. Electric shocks are considered a common workplace hazard which is life-threatening. This hazard mostly occurs when metal workers touch two metals charged with electricity at the same time. A careful scrutiny of a workplace to detect a potential risk of electric shocks can lead to a better working environment. Personal protective equipment can further improve the safety conditions.

Fire and explosions

Arc welding creates a high temperature that leads to a potential risk of fire and explosions. Having said that, the real danger is not the arc but the sparks, spatter and heat created during operations. Flammable materials should be removed from the workplace.

Insufficient PPE

PPE plays a vital role in keeping welding operators free from burns, injuries, and exposure to arc rays. The right protective equipment and safety clothing not only allow workers to move freely but also provide adequate protection against welding hazards. Flame-resistant cotton garments or nomex coveralls is recommended for welders. Workers who have to face dangerous workplace hazards should pay close attention to safety information, procedures, and safety data sheets provided by the manufacturer. It is advisable to consult a safety garments manufacturer in order to get tailor-made coveralls, bib pants, gloves, coats, and other necessary safety equipment that suits your job.